Month: February 2021
One year ago, we had a fantastic group of Pilgrims from the Diocese of Camden on Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Assisi, and Rome with Bishop Dennis Sullivan, Robert Hughes, V.G., and Fr. Gormley. After almost a full year of no pilgrimages due to the pandemic, we’re excited to take a look back at some of the fantastic memories this group made while walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
The Catholic Star Herald featured an article, called “For Us, Jesus Came Brilliantly to Life” written by Pilgrim, Donna Ottaviano-Britt. Here are a few of our favorite quotes:
“I cannot testify on behalf of each pilgrim in our group but I dare suggest that each one of us on the pilgrimage encountered the Lord as we prayed at the sacred sanctuaries in Israel which are associated with Him,” – Bishop Dennis Sullivan
“I thought, going into this pilgrimage, that this trip to the Holy Land would be a one-time experience. I did not think I would ever consider another pilgrimage. But, that is changed now, too. I was open to what Jesus would gift me on this trip. The blessings are abundant.” – Pilgrim, Donna Ottaviano-Britt
“Her dormition was a very different way to think about Mary. I had always assumed she was awake, alive. It feels more holy to me she was assumed this way — sleeping,” – Pilgrim, Joseph Biegalski, said after visiting the Benedictine Church of the Dormition — a church built on the place tradition tells us Mary “fell asleep” and then was assumed into heaven.
Videos
The Discipleship & Leadership Office, Diocese of Camden created a Facebook video playlist called
2020 Holy Land, Assisi and Rome pilgrimage travelogues, featuring many videos and interviews documenting their Pilgrimage. All can be seen here.
This incredible moment was captured by pilgrim Mariann Gilbride. 206 Tours President and Founder, Milanka Lachman, said the photograph shows “Holy Spirit Hovers Over the Sun on the Sea of Galilee”.
Thank you, Pilgrims of Camden, for these incredible memories. In 2022, Fr. Hughes will return, all details on how to join him, can be found here: www.pilgrimages.com/frhughes
Each year, countless Pilgrims follow the path that Saint James took to the Pilgrim Church in Santiago de Compostela. A Jubilee Year is any year in which July 25 falls on a Sunday. 2021 is a Jubilee year in which the Holy Door will be open, and Pilgrims will be able to receive a plenary indulgence to be absolved of the temporal punishment for all sins. Pilgrims can gain this indulgence for themselves or for their beloved deceased! This special Jubilee occurs only fourteen times each century drawing many Catholics to make a Pilgrimage there. Due to the pandemic, the Vatican announced they will extend the Jubilee Year through 2022 in hopes to accommodate more pilgrims and grant them plenary indulgences. Learn more about Plenary Indulgences here.
In 2020 the Cathedral and Botafumeiro closed for renovations, but at the beginning of this year, the church reopened, welcoming pilgrims and faithful to once again attend Pilgrim Mass two times a day in this extremely special and holy place. See stunning exclusive photos of the renovated Santiago de Compostela Cathedral and Botafumeiro, at this blog.
Santiago de Compostela has such a rich history beginning of course with St. James the Apostle. Learn more here. To take an incredible Walking Pilgrimage on El Camino (The Way of St. James) and visit this incredible Cathedral in the Jubilee Year, visit Tour 70.